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Georgia State Women’s Basketball faces SEC Test at Mississippi State
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Following a dominant season-opening victory, the Georgia State women’s basketball team (1-0, SBC 0-0) travels to Starkville, Mississippi, to challenge the Mississippi State Bulldogs (1-0, SEC 0-0) on Friday, November 7th, at 12 p.m. at Humphrey Coliseum. Fans can follow the action on X adn Instagram.
A History of Challenges
The series between Georgia State and mississippi State dates back to December 15, 1992, with the Bulldogs securing a 91-70 win in Atlanta. Nearly 25 years later, on November 16, 2017, Mississippi State again prevailed, this time with a commanding 106-50 victory in Starkville. The bulldogs currently hold a 2-0 advantage in the all-time series,with both contests being non-conference matchups. Mississippi State’s 56-point win in 2017 remains the largest margin of victory in the series, and Georgia State is still seeking its first win against the Bulldogs.
Junior Crystal Henderson is Poised to be a Key Player
Junior Crystal Henderson is poised to be a key player for Georgia State. Named to the 2025-26 Preseason All-Sun Belt Second team, Henderson had a stellar 2024-25 season, starting all 33 games and leading the team in assists (128, 3.9 pg), steals (79, 2.4 pg), minutes played (1,163, 35.2 pg), and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.42). She finished second in scoring with 379 points (11.5 ppg) and recorded 20 double-digit games, including four performances exceeding 20 points. Henderson’s accolades also include being named the 2023-24 Sun Belt Freshman of the Year, a testament to her immediate impact on the program.
Dominating the Sun Belt
Georgia State opened the 2025-26 season with a resounding statement, immediately establishing themselves as a force in the Sun Belt Conference. The Panthers currently lead the league in scoring offense (108.0 ppg), rebounds per game (50.0), and steals per game (26.0). Their 108-point performance against Oglethorpe ranks 13th nationally, and they boast the No. 17 national ranking in turnover margin (+22.0). Furthermore, GSU leads the sun Belt and is 28th nationally in free throws made per game (22.0), alongside a league-leading +12.0 rebound margin and 26th-ranked offensive rebounding rate (22.0 per game).
New faces, International Flair
The Panthers have bolstered their roster with six new players for the 2025-26 season, including freshmen Savannah Robinson-Holmes and Grace Lanier, alongside transfers Ana Luiza Ramos Pires (Garden City CC), Nari Powers (Salt Lake CC), Ari Dyson (Trinity Valley CC), and Gabbie Grooms, an ACC Power Four standout. Adding to the team’s diversity, Georgia State features international players Monna Julkunen from Finland and Ana Luiza Ramos Pires from São Paulo, Brazil, bringing a global outlook to the court.
Holloman Recognized for Leadership
Graduate student Cheyenne Holloman has been honored with the 2026 Kay Yow Servant Leader Award, recognizing her commitment to service and leadership off the court. The award, presented by the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, celebrates collegiate athletes who embody the values of the late NC State coach Kay Yow and her dedication to cancer research and support for women impacted by the disease.
Historic Start to the Season
Georgia state’s season opener against Oglethorpe on Monday night was a historic performance, resulting in a 108-59 victory. This game ranked third all-time in GSU history for both steals (26) and points (108) in a single game, marking one of the most dominant outings in program history. Junior Crystal Henderson led the charge, scoring 24 points – the first time a Panther has reached that mark in a season opener since 2008.
For the latest updates on the season, including ticket information and game details, please visit www.georgiastatesports.com and follow
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